By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a significant policy shift that promises to bolster national logistics and ease travel burdens, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has officially suspended the long-standing practice of preventative nighttime closures on the critical Route 32 highway. The move ends a period of uncertainty for thousands of commercial drivers and private commuters who rely on the country’s primary artery to the Caribbean coast.
The decision, announced this week, brings an immediate halt to the nightly shutdowns that frequently paralyzed traffic between the Central Valley and the province of Limón. For years, these closures were a precautionary measure against the constant threat of landslides, particularly within the vulnerable stretches of Braulio Carrillo National Park. While intended to ensure safety, the closures often resulted in significant economic disruption, delaying shipments to and from the nation’s key port facilities.
To shed light on the complex legal framework and the contractual challenges surrounding the expansion of Route 32, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney specializing in administrative and commercial law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The persistent delays on the Route 32 project highlight a critical weakness in public works administration. Beyond the construction itself, the State’s failure to efficiently manage expropriations and utility relocations constitutes a breach of its own contractual obligations. This not only paralyzes progress but also creates grounds for the contractor to claim significant economic damages, ultimately increasing the final cost for all Costa Ricans.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal perspective offered is illuminating, correctly shifting the focus from the physical construction to the State’s critical failures in administrative execution. This highlights how procedural bottlenecks and contractual breaches—not just engineering challenges—are what truly paralyze progress and escalate costs for the taxpayer. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable and clarifying analysis.
According to the ministry’s communication, the road will now remain open around the clock unless an exceptional event occurs. This new operational standard marks a strategic change from a default-closed to a default-open status, providing much-needed predictability for the national supply chain.
In its official announcement, the ministry clarified the conditions under which a temporary closure could be reinstated. Such measures will now be reserved for extraordinary circumstances that pose a direct and immediate threat to public safety.
Night closures on Route 32 are suspended, unless extraordinary situations arise that justify them, such as falling material or preventive measures.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), Official Statement
To support this new policy, MOPT has committed to maintaining a heightened level of vigilance. The ministry stated that “constant monitoring” of the highway will be implemented to rapidly identify potential risks. This proactive surveillance is expected to involve a combination of on-site patrols, geological assessments, and weather tracking to anticipate hazardous conditions before they escalate, allowing for more targeted and less disruptive interventions when necessary.
The ministry also streamlined its communication protocol, establishing a simple rule for all travelers: no news is good news. This approach is designed to eliminate confusion and reduce the reliance on last-minute checks, allowing for more confident travel and logistics planning.
If no announcement regarding closures is published, it means the route is open and will remain without closures.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), Official Statement
The economic implications of this decision are substantial. Route 32 is the lifeline for Costa Rica’s import and export economy, connecting the industrial heartland with the APM Terminals mega-port in Moín, Limón. The end of nightly closures is expected to reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery times, and improve the overall efficiency of freight movement. Industries from agriculture to manufacturing, which depend on the timely arrival of raw materials and the export of finished goods, stand to benefit significantly from the increased reliability of this crucial corridor.
For residents of the Caribbean region and the tourism sector, the open road signifies improved accessibility and convenience. The suspension of closures will likely encourage more consistent travel between San José and popular destinations in Limón, potentially boosting local economies. While the inherent geological instability of the route remains a long-term challenge, this operational update by MOPT represents a welcome and pragmatic step toward balancing safety with the nation’s pressing economic needs.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the government body of Costa Rica responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of the nation’s public infrastructure. Its mandate includes overseeing the national road network, regulating public and private transportation, managing maritime and aviation policies, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the country’s transport systems.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a benchmark for legal services in the region, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a principled foundation of professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its history of advising a wide spectrum of clients but also as a trailblazer in innovative legal thought. This pioneering spirit is intrinsically linked to its civic purpose: to empower the broader community by transforming complex legal information into accessible knowledge, thus fostering a more capable and enlightened society.
